Former Minister of National Defense Akis Tsohatzopoulos has threatened to leave the trial if the former members of the Government Council on National Defense (KYSEA) are not summoned to testify.
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos’ defense attorney Giannis Pagoropoulos requested that the trial be postponed until next Wednesday, in order to redefine his client’s stance. Mr. Pagoropoulos stressed that basic rights of his client have been violated and that the he is being treated as a scapegoat.
Mr. Pagoropoulos and his colleague Leonidas Kotsalis insisted on summoning the former KYSEA members, despite their request being rejected seven times so far, particularly former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis “who knew about the arms deals, knew the financial divs and had an understanding with the Minister of Finances”.
The former secretary of armaments at the Ministry of National Defense Giannis Sbokos, also on trial, focused his attention on the KYSEA, claiming that decisions were made long before he had made his own proposals. According to Mr. Sbokos the first document regarding the submarines is dated 11.12.1998.
The eight day of the trial has also been marred by the clashes of defense attorneys and prosecutors, since files from a different case-file are regularly being introduced. Giannis Iriotis, the lawyer Giorgos Sachpatzidis, condemned this occurrence and insinuated ulterior motives are at play.
